The new Pope Leo XIV (Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States) is 69. He spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru. He was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
The new Pope is from Chicago. He supported Francis’ line on social justice issues.
Francis invited him to Rome to head the Vatican office responsible for selecting priests to serve as Catholic bishops worldwide.
Trump has already congratulated Prevost.
“I am honored to know that he is the first American pope. What a thrill, and what a great honor for our country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV,” Trump wrote.
Some facts about the newly elected Pope:
▫️ He became the first-ever Pope from the United States of America.
▫️ Before his election to the papal throne, he served as prefect of the Dicastery for the Dicastery of Bishops.
▫️ Prevost spent much of his career as a missionary in South America, including a long stint in Peru.
▫️ He is a member of the monastic Order of St. Augustine.
▫️ He is a supporter of Pope Francis’ reforms, especially in the areas of social justice and synodality (greater inclusiveness and participation in church structures).
▫️ He has experience in administrative work in the Vatican.